Stuart Millar – Troon/Bridge of Allan

June 2017

Man found with 40,000 indecent photographs avoids jail

A man who admitted being in possession of tens of thousands of indecent images of children has narrowly avoided jail.

Stuart Jack Millar (21) was found with more than 40,000 indecent photographs and hundreds of videos of children. More than 300 of the images recovered were classified Category A – the most offensive kind.

The offence took place at a house in Bridge of Allan between December 18, 2015, and September 12, 2016.

When Millar, who now lives at an address in Troon, appeared at Stirling Sheriff Court in April his sentencing was deferred until this week for reports to be obtained.

And when he returned to the dock on Wednesday morning Sheriff Wyllie Robertson agreed “with considerable hesitation” to impose an alternative to custody.

Representing Millar, defence solicitor Ken Dalling said: “This is a serious offence committed over a considerable period of time. Some of the images are of the most serious category.

“But this is a young man, who has no previous convictions, and I would suggest that nothing could be gained by sending him to prison.

“He has taken steps to seek assistance and will take every opportunity to complete his rehabilitation and get on with his life.”

Imposing a combination of supervision and unpaid work, Sheriff Robertson said: “As well as referring to the Scottish guidance I have also referred to the English guidelines.

“This is worthy of custody in any view.

“I will have regard to the fact that you have no previous convictions, the number of images at Category A has been described as low, the bulk were at Category C and that you have been taking steps to address the issue – and appear to be making some progress.

Millar was placed under supervision for a period of three years with conditions banning him from contacting any children under the age of 17 or accessing an electronic device without the relevant permission.

He was also ordered to undertake 300 hours of unpaid work in the next three months.